The Evansville Parks Commission on Nov. 5 approved a slate of routine and capital actions, including authorization to seek bids on a $499,000 restroom renovation at the Global Soccer Complex and small change orders to the Next Level Trail project.

At the meeting, staff asked the commission’s permission to advertise bids for the Global Soccer Complex main-restroom renovation, which the packet and staff comments tied to funds allocated in the 2022 bond program. The board approved the request by voice vote.

Deputy Director Paul Bausman told the commission the $3,500 change order to Rundell Ernst Berger Associates is to provide additional survey and blueprint documentation requested by CenterPoint as part of a gas-line relocation tied to trail work near the National Guard property. The board approved that amendment by voice vote.

The commission also approved change order number 1 for phase 2 of the Next Level Trail project, a $7,602.50 payment to undercut 75 feet of trail and add a 25-foot, 12-inch culvert where standing water was discovered after construction.

Other approvals included a Swander Ice Arena use agreement with Tri State Spartans, a Black Friday promotional offer for the city’s golf courses that adds $15 for every $100 purchased (staff said the one-day promotion previously generated about $34,000), and authorization to install two Wabash and Erie Canal interpretive signs in city park locations. Staff said the Canal Society donated 12 signs and the Department of Metropolitan Development will handle installation.

The commission granted permission to conduct a prescribed burn on just over 2 acres of the northern prairie parcel at Howe Wetlands; staff said burns would be carried out by Davie Resource Group under strict weather protocols and that parks, the fire department and the health department would be notified when a suitable burn date is chosen. The board also approved removing and replacing an aging fence at Caldwell Park; staff told commissioners the JD Sheff Foundation awarded a grant to cover the work and the maintenance gate will be relocated nearer the street to deter vehicles entering from the alley.

The meeting concluded with acceptance of payroll and vendor claims by motion and a voice vote.

Votes at a glance: approve = voice vote, motion carries unless noted.
- Approve Oct. 1 and Oct. 22 meeting memoranda; quote for Mesker Park paving taken under advisement.
- Approve and execute Swander Ice Arena use agreement with Tri State Spartans.
- Grant permission for a prescribed burn at Howe Wetlands (just over 2 acres) to be conducted by Davie Resource Group.
- Approve removal and replacement of fence at Caldwell Park (JD Sheff Foundation grant awarded).
- Seek bids: Phase 2 pump-station portion of golf-course irrigation (Fenrick and Helfrich courses).
- Approve installation of Wabash and Erie Canal signs in Westland Park and on the Pigeon Creek Trail.
- Approve change order #3 to Rundell Ernst Berger Associates ($3,500) for survey/documentation related to CenterPoint gas-line relocation.
- Approve change order #1 for Next Level Trail phase 2 ($7,602.50) to add undercutting and a culvert.
- Seek bids: Global Soccer Complex main-restroom renovation (estimate provided in meeting ~ $499,000; funds from 2022 bond program).
- Approve Black Friday gift-certificate promotion for city golf courses (adds $15 per $100 purchased).
- Approve revised agreement with Brock Crumple for Swander Ice Arena rooftop unit replacement (corrections to dates and negotiated contract language; funding from 2024 bond funds).

Staff and officials present provided updates on park projects, including a Garvin Park activity-zone ribbon-cutting set for 4 p.m., completion dates for Mickey’s Kingdom surfacing and riverfront skate-park coatings, lighting work for the Next Level Trail and a volunteer tree-planting at Anthony Oates where staff said 65 trees will be planted.

The commission recessed after accepting payroll and vendor claims.